When a bullpen gets shut out four times in five games, it is usually the athletes catching heat. But in Brewers, it was not the bats catching fire—it was the budget.
After another lifeless offensive demonstration, the manager did not bother draping it up. “Now, did we spend a lot of money in the offseason, guys?” Pat Murphy said to reporters. “Let’s call a spade a spade. No, we did not.” It was not a rant, but something sharper and more calculated. A soft stab aimed precisely at the front office, enveloped in frustration and a hint of truth.
This was not a one-off blurb. It was layered. He doubled down, adding, “Are we real deep in the position player business? No, we are not.” The annoyance was real, but so was the restraint. Murphy did not call anyone out by name—but if you read between the lines, he did not need to. This was about decisions made—or not made—in the winter. The bats were cold, but the tension was firing up. And with the franchise sitting at 21–25, patience is frayed away.
But here is where it gets deeper. Murphy is not throwing in the towel. He spoke of “mental toughness” of staying “in the now” and trusting the players he has. “I think they are good,” he mentioned. “We have ones that are not getting the outcome right now and are not in their best state of mind.” Well, he sees what is happening, but he is also imploring for perspective.
Brewers Manager Pat Murphy on Milwaukee’s recent struggles at the plate
“Now, did we go spend a lot of money in the offseason, guys? Let’s call a spade a spade. No we didn’t.” pic.twitter.com/hDcwClKINL
— 97.3 The Game (@TheGameMKE) May 18, 2025
Still, even with all the trust in the world, faith does not fix a frail bench. As the Brewers slide further down the standings, trade talks are becoming unavoidable. And that is where the second punchline of this saga lands—with the ace whose contract may be too good to keep.
Freddy Peralta, who has a club option for just $8 million next season.
Freddy Peralta’s name swirls in trade rumors as the Brewers’ season teeters
As the trade deadline creeps closer, one name is echoing louder than the rest in Milwaukee’s franchise—Freddy Peralta. The 28-year-old right-hander is not just having an inaudibly strong year; he is putting up All-Star caliber stats while carrying a contract that would make any contender look twice.
Through nine starts, Freddy Peralta has posted a 2.66 ERA with 52 strikeouts across just over 50 innings. Add in a 4-3 record and 1.6 WAR, and he has become an escorting trade rumor magnet, particularly given that $8 million club option for the upcoming season. That is bargain-bin pricing for a potential frontline shoulder.
But here is the catch: As the Brewers slide to a 21–25 record and sit fourth in the NL Central, the calls are already coming in. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that if Milwaukee does not reverse course, they will be “flooded with calls” for Peralta before the July 31 deadline.
It is not hard to see why. He is young, under control, and he is dealing. The big question presently is not just whether the bullpen will ask—it is whether the Brewers will listen. Because if things do not turn around swiftly, Peralta’s value might not just demonstrate a pitching weapon—it could become Milwaukee’s best bargaining chip.
If the team does not right the ship soon, tough choices could come after. The management is already hearing it—subtly from their personal dugout and loudly from the enhancing buzz around their $8 million star. Whether this season turns into a comeback tale or a midseason sell-off hinges on what happens next.
For now, the message is clear: Tension is rising in Milwaukee and everyone—from the manager to the mound—is on notice.
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